North Texas once boasted broad expanses of prairie that stretched for miles. However, those wide open spaces have long since vanished from urban and suburban Dallas landscape design. If you don’t own a significant amount of acreage, you need to make efficient use of the space you do have. When you can’t spread out - consider going up instead.

 

Stair Stepped Gardens

Incorporating a terraced structure into your outdoor architecture adds height and depth. Raised garden beds laid out in ascending layers can be enhanced with stone stairs and pathways. To see a local example of terraces in Dallas landscape design, visit the Boswell Family Garden at the Arboretum. That’s also a good place to draw inspiration for ways to use topiaries as vertical features.

 

A simple retaining wall here or there can be just the detail to give character to an outdoor space. You can adjust the height so that colorful or interesting vegetation is prominently displayed. A properly built wall keeps soil erosion to a minimum. It can also be part of a practical water drainage solution that helps protect your home’s foundation.

 

Shaded Bowers

Place trellises in strategic spots to allow plants and vines to grow upward. Gazebos, pergolas, and covered walkways are other convenient structures for vertical gardening. You can also suspend pots from overhead supports or incorporate planter sconces into exterior walls to draw the eye upward. Selecting the right plants and following the correct cultivation methods will give you the best results.

 

Be aware that vegetation hanging in the open air may require creative irrigation solutions during the summer. Texas heat can dry out suspended plants very quickly. A spray mist system may be the ideal watering method. Speaking of water features, a fountain is another great vertical accent that adds motion as well as height to your landscape.

 

Bird’s Eye View

You may wish to use balconies, terraces, raised patios, or elevated walkways as elements in your outdoor living areas. This can allow your Dallas landscape design to stretch beyond the boundaries of your property. Consider what kind of view might be possible from your home if you had a higher vantage point from which to enjoy it.

 

For example, your house might overlook some of the wooded hills located around the Metroplex. Perhaps you live within shouting distance of one of DFWs many lakes. Or, maybe you could get a decent view of the city skyline at night (when you can’t see the smog!) Most gazebos are single story, but that’s not a hard and fast rule. Consider adding a small observation tower to yours.

 

Urban Renewal

If you live in the city with little or no yard space, vertical gardening is definitely the trend for you. Keep an eye on the latest like the concepts showcased by the Forwarding Dallas landscape design contest. This is the future of urban living with local greenery incorporated into every structure. Such installations reduce wastewater runoff and help clean the air.

 

Need help deciding which exciting vertical architecture options to add to your landscape? We would love to consult with you - free of charge!